Is AI challenging?

huh....

I had to restart because two AI civs (one normal and one sub) were colonizing worlds like no tomorrow. I am now playing with two beginner AI civs on a gigantic map.

I've only played 5 games (lost first 3 on Normal while I was learning). At Challenging (all AIs to 'Bright') the AI was smarter for a while about tech values, which made a big difference early on to my ability to get cash. Later, though, they became quite needy of tech., so there you go.

I think the biggest thing to remember is that if you're staying on the Good side of the battle, Evil has only two players, so it's rather easy to gang up on the bad guys. A fairer fight, say putting 3 guys to Evil so it's 3 on 3, would make the game much harder against humans...so why ask more of the AI in a 4 v 2?

I say this, of course, with absolutely no idea how you've actually setup your games! I'm assuming you go with default alignments...

Yeah that all makes sense to me... think I'll drop the Arceans over to the evil side in my next game.

I also think the AI needs to BUY LESS in general from the human player. Or smarter about it- I came up with a scout exporting strategy that bankrupted the Drengin not once, not twice, but three times so far- each time they had to cease their wars immediately or face destruction. My spending accoutns for 55% of the entire galaxy economy though I have half his population and had half his tech (until I and a minor race stole all of his tech). My production is through the roof at 100% since about turn 15.

~SDC~

I'm sure that with the extended player base that a lot of new exploits (whether minor or major) might be discovered, but like the tech exploit mentioned in another thread, I bet Brad will try and squash the exploit the first chance he gets to tweak the AI


~SDC~

I hope so! I'm glad this game is so "alive" with a year of support from stardock, and, knowing Brad, probably more.

It's inevitable that exploits will be found, but as long as they are fairly unusual, I'm OK with it, so long as they aren't incredibly obvious. So far, I have seen at least one that has been addressed in this recent update. And that makes me happy! I'm all about single player action, especially TBS, and really want to love the heck out of the AI month after month. So far, I'm pretty excited about what I am seeing, even if I'm getting along pretty well on the 'medium-ish' levels without too much effort.

- Anx

very challenging, but morale issues or game busting random events will get you more often than alien AI.